Simon the Sorcerer II: The Lion, the Wizard and the Wardrobe

Adventure Soft

Industry	Video game development and publishing
Headquarters	United Kingdom
Products	Simon the Sorcerer II: The Lion, the Wizard and the Wardrobe

Simon the Sorcerer II: The Lion, the Wizard and the Wardrobe is an adventure title released in 1995, developed and published by Adventure Soft for the MS-DOS platform. As the follow-up to the original 1993 Simon the Sorcerer game, it continues the story of Simon, a teenager who is transported back to a magical parallel realm through a wardrobe constructed by an evil sorcerer he had previously defeated. Players embark on a journey through a world rich with satirical takes on well-known fantasy literature and fairy tales, aiming to secure fuel necessary for the wardrobe.

Critics responded positively to the game, which subsequently inspired a sequel titled Simon the Sorcerer 3D that launched in 2002. The game saw a Windows re-release on GOG.com in 2008 and was adapted for iOS devices in 2009, though it was discontinued in 2015 due to technical support challenges. In 2018, MojoTouch developed a 25th anniversary edition available on iOS, GOG.com, Google Play, and Amazon Appstore, introducing multiple improvements.

Gameplay

Players engage with Simon through point-and-click mechanics, utilizing mouse controls or touch input on portable devices. The gameplay revolves around exploring various locations and interacting with characters and objects via an icon-based verbal command interface—for example, a magnifying glass icon indicates "Examine." Items gathered are kept in an inventory and combined with suitable actions to resolve puzzles. Dialogue plays a crucial role in acquiring clues and advancing the plot. The interface includes options for saving, loading, and exiting accessed through an inventory postcard, alongside a map feature at significant points to streamline travel between key areas.

Setting

The narrative occurs within a parallel dimension where magic and mythical creatures coexist alongside certain modern technologies. The game incorporates parodic elements inspired by renowned fantasy series such as Discworld and The Chronicles of Narnia, as well as cultural nods including McDonald's and the tabletop role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons.

Plot

Several years after Simon—a boy from another world—defeated the malevolent sorcerer Sordid, Sordid’s spellbook falls into the possession of Runt, a farmhand with ambitions of sorcery. When Runt’s father destroys the book by fire, Sordid’s spirit manifests and enlists Runt as his apprentice to exact vengeance on Simon. Together they reconstruct Sordid’s lair and craft a magical wardrobe designed to trap Simon.

Now a teenager, Simon stumbles upon this wardrobe in his bedroom and is transported back into the enchanted realm. He soon allies with Calypso, a benevolent wizard who operates an emporium alongside his granddaughter Alix. To return home, Simon must locate "mucusade," a magical fuel stored within the royal treasury. By undermining a contest, he secures a position as the new royal magician to gain access.

After acquiring mucusade, Simon is captured by pirates but becomes their cabin boy to recover it. Despite facing shipwrecks and requiring assistance from a genie, he manages to return only to discover that Sordid has abducted Alix. Finding out that Calypso sabotaged the wardrobe intending to trap him there, Simon agrees to rescue Alix from the perilous Valley of Doom. His quest becomes complicated by a time loop involving his future self.

When Runt captures him again, Simon is compelled to retrieve Sordid’s spirit from Hell. However, Sordid seizes control of Simon’s body while Simon’s spirit inhabits Sordid’s mechanical shell. Unwittingly, Calypso sends Sordid back to Simon’s original world where he exploits it for his own power ambitions. The storyline concludes with a cliffhanger setting up events for Simon the Sorcerer 3D.

Development

Originally promoted for a 1994 launch in PC-Zone issue 20, the game reached completion in 1995. Story drafts commenced in August 1993, just prior to the debut of the first installment. Simon Woodroffe crafted the entire narrative, meticulously polishing each element. Throughout development, the game’s visuals were initially drawn, inked, and then colored.

Releases

The PC follow-up was distributed in a distinctive large black box; its floppy disk edition featured copy protection that required the accompanying manual to operate. Conversely, the CD-ROM edition lacked copy protection and included a full-color manual alongside a complete voice-acted soundtrack. Brian Bowles took over voice duties from the original actor, portraying Simon with a more mature, late-teen tone.

An Amiga version was slated for release in 1995 alongside the PC version but was ultimately cancelled, likely due to the shrinking Amiga market. Later on, Epic Interactive Entertainment (currently known as RuneSoft) secured the rights and published it on CD in July 2000.

In 2008, the game became accessible on GOG.com. A port for iOS appeared in 2009 but was withdrawn by mid-2015 because it did not support iOS 8 and subsequent updates.

The 25th Anniversary Edition, created by MojoTouch and initially issued as the "20th Anniversary Edition" on Google Play and Amazon Appstore in 2013, expanded its availability to include the iOS App Store, Steam, and GOG.com by 2018. This version offers hotspot-based controls, HD menus equipped with save/load functionality, enhanced graphics through xBRZ upscaling, complete voice acting with subtitles, multilingual options, and additional bonus content.

Reception

Worldwide sales of the game have exceeded 600,000 copies.

In 2011, Simon the Sorcerer II was ranked as the 88th-best adventure game ever released by Adventure Gamers.